Many Christian County Democrats participated in the activities on Friday and Saturday (April 19 & 20). Both evenings our booth was open and selling tickets to a raffle for a $50 gift certificate to Garden Adventures Nursery (proceeds going to Least of These Food Pantry), as well as giving away Democrat keychains. The hospitality rooms were flowing with refreshments for all attending Friday night, and later the silent and live auctions generated quite a buzz of activity.

Saturday morning Attorney General Chris Koster spoke at the breakfast, with Jason Kander speaking after the breakfast.

The Saturday night banquet dinner was very good, and the room was packed. After the Men’s Chorus of the Ozarks sang the national anthem, awards were given out, and remarks made by Mike Sanders, our Missouri Democratic Party Chair and Clint Zweifel, our State Treasurer, Jim Kabell spoke to the crowd. Kabell is a union leader from Springfield, and explained the deception he sees in Jefferson City with so-called “right to work” bills. Many law makers just want to shut labor up. He urged us to write or call our legislators and ask them to vote NO on these proposals. He reminded us of what Martin Luther King Jr and Rosa Parks did to make a difference in racial injustices. They made a difference because they stuck together and worked together for change. He said we too could make a difference! 2014 will be an important year for Democrats to get back the Missouri Senate.

We raised $106 for Least of These through the raffle. The winner was thrilled to have won. And we thank Garden Adventures for donating the gift certificate. If you missed Jackson Days this year, mark your calendars for next year: April 4 & 5, 2014!

The Jackson Day Conference 2013 is scheduled for April 19-20 at the Howard Johnson Conference Center (3333 South Glenstone, Springfield). This annual event sponsored by the Greene County Democratic Central Committee celebrates the Democratic Party, bringing together Democrats of all sorts from across the state for a time of entertainment, inspiration, education and fun.

Christian County Democrats will staff a booth on Friday night, 5-7pm, and on Saturday 4-6pm. A Garden Adventures gift certificate for $50 will be raffled off, and Christian County Democrats t-shirts are available for $10.

Chris Koster

On Friday evening local democratic organizations and labor unions are sponsoring various hospitality rooms. It is also auction night with a silent auction of many donated items and a live auction for the very special items. All proceeds go to support the Greene County Democratic Central Committee. Friday night’s admission is free.

Jim Kabell

Saturday morning starts with a breakfast sponsored by the Democratic Alliance. This year’s speaker is Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster. Tickets are $25. On Saturday evening Democrats from across the state come to attend the Jackson Day Banquet and hear keynote speaker and Springfield labor union leader, Jim Kabell. Tickets for the banquet cost $50.